Ramon Ortega, an exercise and sport science major and active-duty Marine, will be the first in his family to graduate from college at Winter Commencement.
Marine. Father. Student. Mentor. Ramon Ortega has successfully navigated a number of roles in his time at Carolina.
Ortega was born in California but raised in Idaho. After high school, he spent two years working on a dairy farm before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps, “motivated by a passion for travel, adventure and the desire to serve something greater than myself.”
His 11 years as an aviation calibration technician took him from Cherry Point, North Carolina, to Jacksonville, Florida. He completed his associate’s degree in about a year while in Florida and was admitted to Carolina in 2021 through the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP).
As a father to two young children, ages 6 and 4, Ortega said he has faced unique challenges balancing classes, family responsibilities and his Naval ROTC duties.
“I have to credit the support system that I have at home,” he said. “I appreciate my wife, Liliana, for letting me dedicate this time to school.” Ortega added that he has also bonded with his fellow MECEP students.
Ortega, 32, said he is grateful for the opportunity to be a mentor to younger UNC-Chapel Hill midshipmen. He has enjoyed Carolina’s emphasis on community and has connected with other students on campus as they work out at the gym together and share their experiences.
“As an [older student], I hope I’ve been able to have an impact on the midshipmen that we are training with on a day-to-day basis, people who are 10 years my junior but are about to commission as well,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed being able to guide them in their careers, just as my own mentors have had a lasting influence on me.”
Outside of his academic pursuits — a biomechanics class in his exercise and sport science major has been a favorite — Ortega enjoys coaching his son’s soccer team, spending time outdoors with family, attending Carolina baseball games and hanging out at Four Corners on Franklin Street. A bucket list item before he graduates is attending a basketball game at the Dean Dome.
In recent years, he has also developed a keen interest in real estate investing and has amassed a small rental portfolio, “working to build a strong foundation for my family’s future.”
“Being able to teach financial literacy to young people is important to me, and it’s interesting to see my son learning about this at a young age,” Ortega said. “One of my properties is an Airbnb — a cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains — and in the summer my son loves to help me with maintenance on the cabin.”
At a ceremony on Dec. 14, the day before graduation, Ortega will be commissioned as a second lieutenant, a major milestone that he will share with extended family.
“To celebrate with all of the people who have played a role in my development and to have them all in one room will be awesome,” he said.
After graduation, Ortega will report to The Basic School at Quantico, Virginia, to continue his leadership training as a Marine officer.
Ortega is the first in his family to graduate from high school and college. As he reflected on his years in Chapel Hill, he shared thoughts for future MECEP students and added that this advice can be applied to anyone, anywhere.
“Take advantage of the opportunities available to you. Don’t shy away from challenges.”
By Kim Spurr, College of Arts and Sciences